Nana Gletsu Miller
The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether replacing sugary sodas with unsweetened, flavored sparkling waters can reduce added sugar intake and improve health in Black/African American and Latine adolescents with obesity who prefer sweet-tasting beverages. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does replacing sugary sodas with water change liking for sugary drinks, and water? * Do shifts in liking for sweetness lead to improved diet quality and cardiometabolic health? Researchers will compare replacing sugary sodas with one of three alternative beverages: unsweetened sparkling water, plain water, and beverages with gradually reduced sugar to determine which strategy is most effective. Participants will: * Replace sugary sodas with study drinks for 4 weeks * Complete taste tests to measure their liking for and sensory experience of sweetness over 8-weeks * Provide dietary recalls, body measurements, and blood samples over 8-weeks
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of replacing sugar-sweetened sodas with unsweetened, flavored sparkling waters, progressively sugar-reduced sodas, or plain water in adolescents who are classified as "sweet-likers"-individuals who prefer higher concentrations of sugar in beverages. The study focuses on a high-risk group: adolescents ages 12-18 who self-identify as Black/African American or Latine and have obesity (BMI \>95th percentile). 63 adolescents who are classified as sweet-likers and meet additional inclusion criteria will be enrolled in a randomized 3-arm…
Inclusion Criteria: * Adolescents ages 12 to 18 who display a "sweet-liker" pattern, characterized by a preference for higher concentrations of sugar in beverages, specifically identifying 0.3M (10.3% sucrose) or above as their most liked sample. * Adolescents consumes sugar-sweetened soda greater than or equal to 2 times per week. Adolescents must also indicate a willingness to drink study beverages; not currently dieting/changing diet. Exclusion Criteria: * Adolescent participant is pregnant, since pregnancy affects taste perception * Participant is allergic or intolerant to the items we…
Participants replace all sugar-sweetened sodas with flavored, unsweetened sparkling waters for 4 weeks.
Participants replace sugary sodas with beverages containing gradually decreasing sugar concentrations (weekly), ending with unsweetened sparkling water.
Participants replace all sugar-sweetened sodas with plain, still water for 4 weeks. This serves as a comparator to evaluate sensory and metabolic changes.